A NEW METHOD FOR THE CALIBRATION OF PEAK FLOW METERS

The objective of this paper is to assess the current methods for the c alibration of peak flow meters and devise a method of producing a know n flow with an inexpensive apparatus simple enough to be built from a set of dimensions. The methods currently available tend to be expensiv e and complex or impractical for routine use. The aim was that the wav eform produced should approximate to a forced expiratory flow and be c apable of being described in mathematical terms and be relatively inex pensive to produce. The resulting apparatus which has been built, prod uces a sine wave flow the peak of which can be set to any desired leve l and be determined to a high degree of accuracy. The apparatus can be built from a set of dimensions and is inexpensive. The apparatus is a primary and ?lot a derived standard. (C) 1997 IPEM Published by Elsev ier Science Ltd.